How To Fix CL180 - Number of characteristics (900) was exceeded

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CL - Classification

• Message number: 180

• Message text: Number of characteristics (900) was exceeded

What causes this issue?

A maximum of 999 characteristics can be maintained in a class. If this
limit is reached, the system issues the error message "Maximum number of
characteristics (999) exceeded" and you cannot add any more
characteristics.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Change the setup of your classification system so that the maximum
number is not exceeded.
Note that when you use change management to change a class with
characteristics, the system assigns internal item numbers for each
change state. If you use change management to make frequent changes to a
class with many characteristics, the maximum number of internal item
numbers 999 (table KSML, field POSNR) may be reached too soon. It may
also not be possible to assign the internal item numbers of the assigned
characteristics consecutively for some change states.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message CL180 - Number of characteristics (900) was exceeded ?

  The SAP error message CL180 indicates that the number of characteristics defined in a classification system has exceeded the maximum limit allowed, which is 900. This error typically occurs when you are trying to create or modify a class in the classification system and you have reached the maximum number of characteristics that can be assigned to a single class.
  Cause:
  
  Exceeding Limit: The primary cause of this error is that the class you are working with has more than 900 characteristics assigned to it.
  System Configuration: The system may be configured in such a way that it allows for a large number of characteristics, but the underlying database or application logic enforces a limit of 900.
  
  Solution:
  
  Review Characteristics: Check the characteristics assigned to the class. You may need to remove some characteristics that are not necessary or consolidate similar characteristics to reduce the total count.
  Create Subclasses: If you have a large number of characteristics that are necessary, consider creating subclasses. This way, you can distribute the characteristics across multiple classes instead of having them all in one.
  Re-evaluate Classification Strategy: Assess your classification strategy to see if it can be optimized. This may involve rethinking how you categorize your products or items.
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or consult with your SAP Basis or functional team to understand if there are any configuration options that can be adjusted to accommodate your needs.
  SAP Support: If the issue persists and you believe it is a limitation that needs to be addressed, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance or to inquire about potential system enhancements.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide guidance on best practices for classification.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to classification, such as CL02 (Change Class) and CL03 (Display Class), to manage your classes and characteristics effectively.
  Performance Considerations: Keep in mind that having a very high number of characteristics can impact system performance, so it's advisable to keep the classification structure as streamlined as possible.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the CL180 error and manage your classification system more effectively.